Hoo boy. Just when I think the Cubs can't possibly get any worse, they find a way. Friday, El Toro Loco finally crossed the line between Manny Ramirez Loopiness and full Milton Bradley Craztytown. Zambrano gave up four runs in the first inning and then stormed into the dugout practically foaming at the mouth, apparently angry that DLee and Aramis didn't dive for the two groundball liners the Sox smacked. Zambrano managed to anger Derrek Lee, who could be seen to shout back "That's bullshit!" at Carlos as Piniella, Trammel, and Rothschild moved between the two. Piniella sent Zambrano home and later on he was suspended indefinitely. If and when he returns, Zambrano will return to the bullpen.

I've been a Carlos Zambrano fan for the last eight years. In the past, I've defended his emotional outbursts and chalked it up to his passion for the game. I can't defend this one. It kills me to say this, but it's time the Cubs parted ways with El Toro Loco. It's become clear that he's not going to mature the way that we all had hoped. It's a goddamn shame because Zambrano has the stuff to be an ace pitcher, but he can't get beyond his petulant childishness to put it all together. While most of the blame must reside with Zambrano himself, the Cubs bear some of the brunt of responsibility. Up until now, they've done little to correct Z's aberrant behavior beyond spouting vacant platitudes. This is partly their mess and now they have to clean it up.

This is pretty much it for me with this team this year. I've fucking had it. I'm not giving up being a Cub fan and I'm not going to pick another team or anything like that. It's too late for that. The Cubs are like heroin. I don't like being a junkie, but I am and I'm too lazy to quit. But I can back off the doses and that's what I'm going to do. I've already been missing more games this year and I see that trend continuing. This team has fallen apart and it's just too damn depressing to watch, so fuck it.